Keeping older people safe and healthy

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Channel 5 News

The critical importance of reducing accidents and preventing falls

Older people are less resilient!

Falls from less than 2 metres often cause serious injury in older people

• reduced physiological reserve

• pre-existing medical conditions

• older skeleton more brittle and vulnerable to trauma

• may not show usual response to shock and trauma

• more prone to confusion and disorientation

• unwanted effects of prescribed medication

Tips to prevent falls:

• Home safety – avoid tripping hazards, good lighting …

• Get up slower, take more time

• Eat well

• Exercise

• Grab rails

• Be aware of medication side effects

Advice to someone following a fall:

• Stay as calm as you can.

• Don’t rush to get up, take time to establish if hurt.

• Lie still and work up the body checking for pain or bleeding.

• If able to get up, do this slowly and carefully using stable furniture as a support.

• Tell someone what has happened.

If hurt or unable to get up:

• Try to get someone's attention by calling for help or phoning.

• Do not exhaust yourself.

• Cover yourself with something warm. Wrap up as well as you can and get as comfortable as possible.

• Shift your body weight frequently to prevent getting pressure sores.

Medication confusion

Why medication may be more complicated for the elderly:

• Multiple medicines, increased risk of drug interactions, mix-ups and side effects.

• Less effective at metabolising medication.

• Age-related changes affect drug concentration.

• Increased sensitivity to medicines.

• Impaired memory, grip strength, mobility, hearing and vision makes compliance more difficult.

• Different specialists and health professionals.

Tips to avoid medication problems

• Be actively involved in treatment. • Have a medication list with you at all times.• Read patient information sheets.• Be aware of possible dietary and medication interactions.• Take them exactly as prescribed.• Ask the doctor or pharmacist for help, advice and support.• Never stop medication without medical advice – particularlymedication such as beta blockers, benzodiazepines, anti-depressants, steroids and warfarin.

Keep a medication list:

• Names of all medications, including any Over the Counter (OTC) medications, dietary supplements and herbal remedies

• The doctor who prescribed each prescription medication

• The purpose of each medication

• How often and what dose

• Special directions – eg full or empty stomach?

• Any monitoring needed, reviews required

• Any previous adverse reactions to medication

Swallowing Problems:

Never crush, chew, break or mix the tablet or capsule in fluid unless the doctor or pharmacist says it is okay to do so.

• Is there a liquid alternative?

• Is there a once a day option?

• Do they really need the medication?

Bowel and urinary issues and problems sleeping

Explore alternatives to medication first

Burns

Why older people are more prone to burns:

• Skin thinner, delicate, more sensitive to heat.

• Peripheral nerve damage – may not feel pain

• Reflexes are not as quick

• Older people may go to extremes to keep warm

• Possible risk awareness issues

• Paraffin based skin creams are flammable

Measures to prevent burns:

• Fit oven shelf guards

• Get a kettle with a short or curly flex.

• Care with hot drinks – trolleys may be helpful!

• Be careful when microwaving.

• Bath thermometers and thermostats.

• Care with hot water bottles and radiators.

• Check all wiring and electrical appliances

• Contact the fire service for a fire risk assessment

Run under cool running water for at least 10 minutes

First Aid for burns

www.firstaidforlife.org.uk

@firstaidforlife

emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk

Thank you for listening and any questions?